Michel Ribeiro
Technical and Individual First Team Coach @krcgenk
An ex-professional player with 14 years of experience in Belgium and Holland, followed by a 20 years experience as a technical coach. Previously worked as a technical coach at Sporting Kansas City, working with all teams within the club, ranging from the U12 to the First Team.
How would you define a parent’s role within the youth sports environment?
Parents should play the role of positive supporter, they should enjoy watching their child play sports without putting any pressure or stress on the child. Let the kids enjoy the game. I also encourage parents to get their kids involved in sports at a very young age.
What are the benefits of embracing parental involvement in youth sports?
Sports allows for parents an opportunity to share in a common interest with their child. It allows you to learn the information your kids are learning about the sport. It allows you to understand and learn about your child and how they learn, and how they apply the things they learn. The kids will enjoy the game, keep playing and they will be self-motivated.
What advice would you give any youth sports participator who has the ambition, drive and commitment to reach the highest level?
Advice to the player
Start as young as possible, work very hard which is the key to success. Always enjoy the game. Always have belief in yourself. There will be difficult moments in your development you need to overcome and fight through these moments.
Advice to the parents
Always support your child in a positive way, don’t tell them what to do. Leave the coaching to the coaches. Enjoy the time watching your kids play and grow as an athlete and person.
In your experience as a coach, how does negative approaches from the parents, affect the players short & long term?
If kids feel to much pressure they will not enjoy the game and have pleasure and will eventually quit.
What advice would you give coaches regarding youth sports parents?
Always be open for discussion and educating the parents, but never change your values and beliefs. At the end of the day, you are the coach of the team.
What advice would you give youth sports parents for the car journey to and from youth sports practices and/or games?
You can talk about the game in a positive manner or it will have a negative effect if you don’t. Don’t speak negative about other players, or coaches. Always ask if the kids had fun.
What types of behaviours/mannerisms/comments would you encourage parents to demonstrate?
Clap, cheer, encourage, but never coach or get visibly upset. Never say anything negative.
Thank you to Michel for taking the time to complete the following interview questions.
Twitter: @ribeiromichel10
